A Southern California man has been arrested and faces federal charges for allegedly shining a laser pointer at a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter.
Dominic Rios, 21, was arrested on Monday, nearly a month after the June 10 incident in which he allegedly struck the chopper three times with a green laser light while it monitored protests in downtown Los Angeles, the FBI said in a news release.
Rios, whose most recent known address is in Hemet, was spotted by the helicopter’s pilot and flight officer, who relayed his description and position to officers on the ground, who arrested him, the FBI said.
“An LAPD officer searched Rios and found a laser pointer in his pocket,” the release said. “After the LAPD officer Mirandized Rios, Rios admitted that he had used his green laser pointer on the LAPD helicopter.”
Rios is free on bond and faces up to five years in federal prison if convicted.
Officials also detailed the damage laser pointers can cause if used improperly.
“When laser beams are aimed at any piloted aircraft, whether military or commercial, what might seem like a tiny beam on the ground can blind aircrew, potentially causing a midair collision or other incident,” the FBI explained.
For more information, visit the FBI’s website.
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